Local artist combines military aviation, art

Published: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 5, 2013 at 7:28 p.m.

Hendersonville resident Jim Morrison has found success in the art world after years of working in military aviation, managing to combine his two passions as he travels Western North Carolina building a portfolio.

In 1997, the former Air Force pilot was inducted into the National Watercolor Society and has been commissioned for a number of paintings for the Army and Air Force.

The artistic seed was planted for Morrison in fourth grade. His dad began drawing cartoons and had a syndicated cartoon strip called “Round and Round.”

“He would have me come into his studio and draw with him,” Morrison said.

His dad eventually opened up an advertising agency before signing up for the Army Air Corps in World War II. The elder Morrison, Morrie, also served in Korea. He had a major impact on Jim Morrison's life.

“He always believed he could do whatever he wanted to do,” Morrison said. “I find him responsible for so much of what I've done.”

The elder Morrison continued drawing his cartoons, but also ended up writing 13 books. For the younger Morrison, however, the creativity remained buried for much of his life. He enjoyed his time at the University of Nevada, where he headed up the yearbook staff and graduated with a degree in economics.

Love for aviation

In 1952, Morrison followed his dad's footsteps into the military. He joined the Air Force and became a pilot. He put his love of art aside for the time being and discovered a passion for aviation.

He served all over the world before leaving the Air Force in 1961. Most of that time was spent in Germany, while his dad was serving in Turkey. Morrison's final stop was at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina flying F-101s.

After leaving the military, Morrison went to work for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas. He followed that up with McDonnell Douglas, where he stayed until he retired in 1989.

At a private firm that worked in airplane design, he worked in a reconnaissance laboratory, did a world tour for the RF-4 and spent a summer in Iran helping with the RF-4.

Finding art again

In 1976, art began creeping back into his life. Morrison began working in marketing at McDonnell Douglas and his hidden talent resurfaced.

“We wanted to have our presentations with as many visuals as possible,” he said.

Morrison began sketching, and that continued to be his artistic hobby until he retired in 1989. His decision to retire was based largely on his desire to be a full-time artist. His wife, Susan, also worked at McDonnell Douglas, and she encouraged him to follow his dreams.

The two were living in St. Louis when Morrison retired. He discovered painting, and the artistic hunger became insatiable.

“One thing led to another and I started doing more and more,” he said.

Morrison eventually settled into watercolor paintings. In the last three decades, he founded the Mosaic Art Festival in St. Charles, Mo., was selected to join the Air Force Art Program and has been commissioned by the Army to paint Apaches for units that have had the choppers.

He served in the art program from 1997 until 2011. The Air Force had him follow units in different locations to paint the images. Two days after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Morrison followed an Air Force unit into the aftermath.

“I think that was the hardest job I've ever had,” he said.

The images he saw were unnerving, as much of the Gulf Coast was a wasteland.

More recently, he has painted scenes from Apache units based on pictures that were sent to him. The walls of his studio are adorned with different thing that units have sent him in appreciation.

“That means more than any amount of money you could get from doing any of this stuff,” he said.

‘Life is great'

These days, Morrison is traveling to all parts of Western North Carolina. The 83-year-old is building a portfolio of art inspired by the beauty around him that will culminate in a 2016 show and hopefully a book. The theme of the event will be “The Magic of Western North Carolina.”

“You just can't be any luckier than I am,” he said.

As Morrison continues to take in the beauty around him, it hasn't been all sunshine and scenery. The artist has been fighting prostate cancer for the last two decades. He's had surgery, radiation and continues to fight off the darkness.

But it doesn't affect his view of the world around him. Instead, he sees light. He sees beauty. Morrison stays positive and is working toward his goal of a solo show at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.

“I think what goes in up here,” he said pointing to his head, “has a lot to do with what's going on other places. You can't sit here and worry about each day because if you do, you've lost a day. It's not the end of the road.”

<p>Hendersonville resident Jim Morrison has found success in the art world after years of working in military aviation, managing to combine his two passions as he travels Western North Carolina building a portfolio. </p><p>In 1997, the former Air Force pilot was inducted into the National Watercolor Society and has been commissioned for a number of paintings for the Army and Air Force. </p><p>The artistic seed was planted for Morrison in fourth grade. His dad began drawing cartoons and had a syndicated cartoon strip called “Round and Round.”</p><p>“He would have me come into his studio and draw with him,” Morrison said. </p><p>His dad eventually opened up an advertising agency before signing up for the Army Air Corps in World War II. The elder Morrison, Morrie, also served in Korea. He had a major impact on Jim Morrison's life.</p><p>“He always believed he could do whatever he wanted to do,” Morrison said. “I find him responsible for so much of what I've done.”</p><p>The elder Morrison continued drawing his cartoons, but also ended up writing 13 books. For the younger Morrison, however, the creativity remained buried for much of his life. He enjoyed his time at the University of Nevada, where he headed up the yearbook staff and graduated with a degree in economics. </p><p><b>Love for aviation</b></p><p>In 1952, Morrison followed his dad's footsteps into the military. He joined the Air Force and became a pilot. He put his love of art aside for the time being and discovered a passion for aviation.</p><p>He served all over the world before leaving the Air Force in 1961. Most of that time was spent in Germany, while his dad was serving in Turkey. Morrison's final stop was at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina flying F-101s.</p><p>After leaving the military, Morrison went to work for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas. He followed that up with McDonnell Douglas, where he stayed until he retired in 1989. </p><p>At a private firm that worked in airplane design, he worked in a reconnaissance laboratory, did a world tour for the RF-4 and spent a summer in Iran helping with the RF-4. </p><p><b>Finding art again</b></p><p>In 1976, art began creeping back into his life. Morrison began working in marketing at McDonnell Douglas and his hidden talent resurfaced. </p><p>“We wanted to have our presentations with as many visuals as possible,” he said. </p><p>Morrison began sketching, and that continued to be his artistic hobby until he retired in 1989. His decision to retire was based largely on his desire to be a full-time artist. His wife, Susan, also worked at McDonnell Douglas, and she encouraged him to follow his dreams.</p><p>The two were living in St. Louis when Morrison retired. He discovered painting, and the artistic hunger became insatiable. </p><p>“One thing led to another and I started doing more and more,” he said. </p><p>Morrison eventually settled into watercolor paintings. In the last three decades, he founded the Mosaic Art Festival in St. Charles, Mo., was selected to join the Air Force Art Program and has been commissioned by the Army to paint Apaches for units that have had the choppers. </p><p>He served in the art program from 1997 until 2011. The Air Force had him follow units in different locations to paint the images. Two days after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Morrison followed an Air Force unit into the aftermath. </p><p>“I think that was the hardest job I've ever had,” he said.</p><p>The images he saw were unnerving, as much of the Gulf Coast was a wasteland. </p><p>More recently, he has painted scenes from Apache units based on pictures that were sent to him. The walls of his studio are adorned with different thing that units have sent him in appreciation. </p><p>“That means more than any amount of money you could get from doing any of this stuff,” he said. </p><p><b>'Life is great'</b></p><p>These days, Morrison is traveling to all parts of Western North Carolina. The 83-year-old is building a portfolio of art inspired by the beauty around him that will culminate in a 2016 show and hopefully a book. The theme of the event will be “The Magic of Western North Carolina.”</p><p>“You just can't be any luckier than I am,” he said. </p><p>As Morrison continues to take in the beauty around him, it hasn't been all sunshine and scenery. The artist has been fighting prostate cancer for the last two decades. He's had surgery, radiation and continues to fight off the darkness. </p><p>But it doesn't affect his view of the world around him. Instead, he sees light. He sees beauty. Morrison stays positive and is working toward his goal of a solo show at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. </p><p>“I think what goes in up here,” he said pointing to his head, “has a lot to do with what's going on other places. You can't sit here and worry about each day because if you do, you've lost a day. It's not the end of the road.”</p><p>For more information on Morrison, visit morrisonart.com.</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>